NovelEnglish"You... you actually laid a hand on me? Do you have any idea who | am?!" Seymour's eyes went bloodshot with
rage. "I swear, I'll destroy you!"
Joshua's lips curled into a faint, icy smile. His words were just as cold as his expression.
"Let's see if you've got what it takes."
His contempt cut sharper than any blade, stripping Seymour of every ounce of dignity.
All his life, Seymour had never suffered humiliation like this-never once had anyone dared to treat him with such
blatant disdain.
Ignoring the pain from his fractured arm, Seymour swung his other fist at Joshua in a blind fury.
Joshua sidestepped easily and then, with one swift kick, caught Seymour just below the knee, striking his
weakest point.
"Ah!"
Seymour collapsed hard onto the ground, sprawled in a pitiful heap. The last traces of his privileged upbringing
vanished; now, he looked more like a criminal caught in the act than a golden boy.
"Tellyour nif you dare!" Seymour spat, his voice squeezed through clenched teeth.
His face was contorted with rage as he glared up at Joshua.
Joshua looked down at him, impassive. "And what makes you think you deserve to know?"
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Seymour's eyes went wide with disbelief, as if he couldn't process what he was seeing.
He'd never met anyone so brash-no, it wasn't just arrogance. This man acted as if the world revolved around
him, as if nobody else even mattered.
He didn't just ignore Seymour's status; he treated him as if he were invisible.
Not far away, Simone stood frozen, staring at the striking, cool-faced man. She didn't cback to herself for a
long time.
The moonlight washed over Joshua's sharply defined features, lending him an almost unearthly beauty-so
compelling, it was nearly impossible to look straight at him.
This was supposed to be her test for Joshua-a trial to see if he was truly worth her tand effort. She wanted to
know if he'd risk his own safety, or cower in fear at someone else's power, when a stranger was in danger.
But even knowing it was all staged, Simone couldn't stop her heart from pounding wildly in her chest.
Joshua checked his watch, ready to leave, when suddenly Simone reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
"Joshua, where are you going?"
He glanced at her. "I'm going to find Star. She's still waiting for me."
Star...
The way he said her name, so naturally, made Simone's breath catch. Jealousy flared, sharp and unwelcome.
She tried, Joshua, could you stay
withfor a bit? I'm worried that if
you leave, he..." She glanced at
Seymour. "He might try something again."
"He won't," Joshua replied. "I've already taken care of him. He's not going to bother you anymore."
Simone
"But...
heretated, her voice small. shows up, what am Ale
still scared. If you leave me
someone else like him
do?"
A flicker of impatience crossed Joshua's eyes, but the night hid it well.
"Miss Lerman, | told you-Star is waiting for me.
If you're afraid to be here alone, don't you think she might be, too?
If something happened to her, none of us could bear that responsibility."
Simone opened her mouth to argue, but the words died on her tongue.
If she pushed any further, she'd only make herself look selfish.
Joshua didn't spare her another glance. He turned and started to walk away.
He'd only taken a few steps when the soft sound of footsteps followed behind him.
He stopped, turned back, and frowned.
"Is there something else?"
Simone smiled awkwardly. "No, | just... |
Don't want to be left alone
Joshua, | promise
won't get in the way of your work."
Star was Joshua's boss, after all. No matter what, it wouldn't be right to leave her
alone in the garden.
Joshua gave her a fleeting look, then said nothing more.
He started walking again.
Behind him, Simone's lips curled in a secret, triumphant smile.
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